Art History Emphasis

Art majors with art history emphasis will earn either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Southern Indiana. At USI, the difference between the two degrees lies within the University Core 39 Curriculum. A minor in art history is also available.

Find class descriptions and major/minor requirements on the University Bulletin.

Why study art history?

Art history is a multidisciplinary field that immerses students in the study of diverse works of art and architecture and the cultures—past, present, geographically close and distant—that produced these works. Students will learn to use models of problem-solving from the past to find solutions for today’s challenges—aesthetic, social, and environmental.

Two years of a world language (or equivalent placement test) are strongly recommended for any student planning on attending graduate school for art history.

Your art major, art history emphasis degree can prepare you for employment or graduate school through acquired skills such as:

• Conducting research
• Synthesizing information into written and oral formats
• Analyzing artworks through direct observation
• Developing organizational and writing skills
• Creating professional presentations
• Preparing visual data creation and searches
• Handling and working with historical artifacts

Your art major, art history emphasis degree can prepare you for potential work in:

• Museums and galleries
• Local, state, and national non-profit arts organizations
• Art collections of private, government, and corporate clients
• Architectural firms
• Interior design firms
• Exhibition design
• Floral design
• Set design
• Event management

Your art major, art history emphasis degree can also qualify you for entry into master’s and PhD programs.

These are some of the facilities and resources to aid your art history studies:

• The Lawrence Library and the USI Art Collection  These provide you the opportunity for direct study of a wide range original artworks, from medieval and Renaissance manuscripts to Japanese woodblock prints and Asian textiles from the collections of USI alumnus John M. Lawrence (’73) and Dean Michael Aakhus, as well as other donors.  Art history students are especially encouraged to do original research with these materials.
• The McCutchan Art Center and Pace Galleries  This on-campus exhibition space regularly features works by regional, national, and international artists, as well as works by students, faculty, alumni, and in the USI Art Collection.  You can fulfill the art internship requirement for art history majors by working here, gaining valuable experience with both the physical logistics and research necessary to curate an art show.
• The New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art  In nearby New Harmony, Indiana, not only can you view exciting works of contemporary art by Midwestern artists, but you can also interact with the artists directly, through artists’ talks, workshops, and even aiding in installation projects.  If you are awarded the Jim Sanders Gallery Fellowship, you can earn 6 credit hours of course credit for working here and in the McCutchan Art Center/Pace Galleries.
• The David L. Rice Library – has an extensive collection of hard copy and e-books on art historical topics; provides electronic access to numerous art history journals, free of charge; allows undergraduates extensive free access to Interlibrary Loan materials

Some of our art history alumni…

Andrea Adams (’12), Communications and Gallery Coordinator, Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana, Evansville

Lauren Braun (’09), Coordinator, Discovery Place KIDS, Huntersville, North Carolina

Allison Brown-Dillingham (’10), Guest Services Manager, Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville

Roxanne Burton (’12), Graduate student for Curatorial Practice, California College of the Arts; Gallery guide, Oakland Museum of California

Guisela Latorre (’93), Associate Professor, Women’s, Gender, Sexuality Studies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

Ethan O’Nan (’12), Graduate student for Master of Liberal Studies, University of Southern Indiana; Administrative Associate, Publishing Services (USI)

Matt Rowe (’05), Executive Director, Reitz Home Museum, Evansville

Ashten Stenftenagel (’10), Deputy Clerk, City of Evansville

Courses offered include:

Ancient Greek, Asian, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, 19^th Century, and Contemporary Art to name just a few, along with special topics course on subjects such as the Silk Road, the Dutch Golden Age, and Contemporary Public Sculpture Exhibition.